Days after citizens of Delhi raised concerns over ad posters of rape convict Asaram Bapu on public transport and demanded their removal, similar hoardings were spotted in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. Large posters of the convicted rapist and spiritual guru ran across public spots in the city, drawing the attention of people and evoking a strong response against them.
Rape convict Asaram Bapu's hoardings in Navi Mumbai
A Free Press Journalist and local resident named Sumit Sharma shared images of Asaram Bapu's posters on X and pointed out they were lined up across the streets of Vashi and Kopar Khairane. The visuals showed these hoardings put up near the Vashi railway station and significant bus stops in the populous city.
Sharma condemned the matter and demanded the city administration to look into it at the earliest.
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Taking a dig at the act of openly displaying hoardings featuring a convicted rapist and jail-term bearer, he wrote, "Hoardings of 'Parents Day' ads featuring the rape convict outside Vashi Station, Koparkhairne.. SHAME @NMMCCommr .. Sir kindly take action".
The message on the ads reflected on celebrating 'Parents' worship day' on February 14, which is otherwise globally observed as Saint Valentine's Day. "Mathra-Pitra Pujan Diwas - Saccha Prem Diwas(Day to worship mother and father - True love day)", it read.
These ads were created and put up in the city by the Saint Shri Asaram Bapu Ashram, Ahmedabad.
Asaram Bapu posters inside Delhi metro
Earlier this month, X users drew the attention of Delhi metro officials to pull down all posters of Asaram Bapu from the rail coaches. After several netizens echoed their voices on social media and urged the authorities for action against the bills stuck on the public transport, DMRC responded and conveyed the ads would be removed soon.
Asaram Bapu in jail?
In 2013, self-proclaimed godman Asaram Bapu (83) was held guilty for raping a minor girl at his ashram. He was given a life sentence in a Jodhpur jail, Rajasthan. Gandhinagar sessions court also imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on him.
Starting from December 18, 2024, he was on a 17-day parole and returned to jail in early January.
Now, he is out again citing medical reasons. A report by Live Law stated he is on an interim bail till March 31 for medical treatment.
